Pierre LeBrun's tweet - "Bottom line, all controversy aside, it comes down to one very basic question: can Marner get what Matthews got and if not, where does that leave both sides this summer? Marner wants to be a Leaf. So his camp pushes as far as it can and then signs. At least that's what I think. "

Bottom line, all controversy aside, it comes down to one very basic question: can Marner get what Matthews got and if not, where does that leave both sides this summer? Marner wants to be a Leaf. So his camp pushes as far as it can and then signs. At least that's what I think.

To clarify, the quotes from Darren Ferris in this piece were from yesterday, not from the summer as Ferris mistakenly implied on @FirstUp1050. Just spoke to Ferris, who acknowledged he meant to say they "referred to" events from the summer. bit.ly/2HU0Tcw

Let him go play in Carolina (where ever) with no picks for the next 4 years they should have a great team, will be fun losing 50+ games a year. He can watch all his buddies back in TO winning all for the sake of a few million bucks.

Matthews benefits from pressure to appease his camp as a franchise player and 1st-overall pick. Marner has proven his worth (61, 69, pace for 99 points). Because they paid Nylander $6.95M AAV, Marner should receive middle ground (around $9M AAV) at least.

Would Marner be ok to sign for $9M on a shorter deal than Matthews (3 years or less)? He can renegotiate sooner and would likely leapfrog the Matthews number, essentially making the same total $ over time. Could help the Leafs keep this group together for several runs at the Cup.

Pierre, why are long term deals viewed as benefitting the team rather than the player, especially someone with injury problems (Matthews)? Long term deals protect the player from career ending injuries. Depending on contract structure, also protects player from lockout.

As of right now, the leads have 7.5 mil in cap space for next year with 14 players under contract. Subtract Horton you have 12.8 mil available with 13 players signed. If you give Marner 9 mil a year, that leaves 3.8 million available with 14 players signed. Not enough for them.

Fact is that the Leafs can only roll with 2 lines and that's not enough to be true contenders. Need all 4 lines to play a fast and physical game for playoff success. They're not even in the same category as the Preds, Jets, Lightning, Caps or Pens

Yeah well marner is their best all around player and they just gave a guy 11.6 mil and he hasn’t even had a 70 point season. I love it as a bruins fan because either they go into cap hell or they lose their best player.

I think Marner tipped his hand somewhat today saying the only thing that matters was that he’s at training camp. So perhaps an internal deadline in his corner, don’t think he’s taking three Nylander route.